Team Formation
Team Formation (4/9/2015)
Academy Team Formation – (U9’s and U10’s):
Iowa Soccer Association (ISA) mandates teams that participate in the academy program have to be equally balanced, so we will work to create teams that are as equally balanced as possible in terms of overall strength and competitiveness. While this program is intended for players that are either physically or skillfully more advanced than their peer, the focus remains developmental in nature. Part of this development goes beyond soccer skills and includes character as well as competitiveness. Forming teams is not an exact science and while we will do our best to make them equal, kids can sometimes be difficult to assess because they often lack consistency in their play and they also develop at different rates. If we find that there is a huge discrepancy in overall strength after forming teams, we may choose to make adjustments to the roster accordingly. It is important to remember that even though the players will be assigned to specific teams, this is a VSA club program and all players will train and learn together regardless of which team they are placed on. We really want players and parents to start thinking beyond their "team" and start thinking about the bigger picture as it relates to the program and the club as a whole. In the long term, this is going to help ensure that we are able to build the best and most sustainable soccer programs and environments for all our kids to continue to thrive in.
Select Team Formation – (U11’s and U12’s):
An age group player development philosophy that places the emphasis on individual technical and tactical development. We want to provide our players with the best technical and tactical foundation so that they are able to reach their full potential in the future. U11 and U12 Select Teams are not formed like in Academy. Players will be offered a bid to participate in the Select program based on a number of factors for each age group including: 1) performance during tryouts, 2) the number of players trying out, 3) the overall skill and ability of the players trying out from a holistic standpoint. Player selection will also be established based on these factors and the composition will be at the discretion of the Coaching Staff and Technical Director. Special Note – For league games and tournaments, teams may be selected and play as A and B teams or as balanced teams, depending upon the overall objective of the specific event and the best avenue to develop and motivate players within the age group. Players will have opportunities to play at several levels of competition within the age group. This will be done at the discretion of the coaching staff and technical director.
Select Team Formation – (U13’s – U18’s):
Age group philosophy; emphasis starts to transition from individual to team development and getting players prepared for competitive events, including showcases. Ideally, participants will be organized into teams of 16 players each, based on ability (A, B and C). The number of teams formed is based on the number of players that come to tryouts. Only the Premier team will compete at State Cup. There may be some scheduled training sessions for all the age group depending upon the developmental needs of the players. Where there are not enough players to form a competitive level team these players may be invited to join the premier group as pool players. Pool players train with the premier group, play in league games, and attend tournament if invited. Special Note – All coaches within the age group will work together along with the Technical Director to promote players as needed. P.O.
Box
854 •
Waukee,
Iowa •
50263
Academy Team Formation – (U9’s and U10’s):
Iowa Soccer Association (ISA) mandates teams that participate in the academy program have to be equally balanced, so we will work to create teams that are as equally balanced as possible in terms of overall strength and competitiveness. While this program is intended for players that are either physically or skillfully more advanced than their peer, the focus remains developmental in nature. Part of this development goes beyond soccer skills and includes character as well as competitiveness. Forming teams is not an exact science and while we will do our best to make them equal, kids can sometimes be difficult to assess because they often lack consistency in their play and they also develop at different rates. If we find that there is a huge discrepancy in overall strength after forming teams, we may choose to make adjustments to the roster accordingly. It is important to remember that even though the players will be assigned to specific teams, this is a VSA club program and all players will train and learn together regardless of which team they are placed on. We really want players and parents to start thinking beyond their "team" and start thinking about the bigger picture as it relates to the program and the club as a whole. In the long term, this is going to help ensure that we are able to build the best and most sustainable soccer programs and environments for all our kids to continue to thrive in.
Select Team Formation – (U11’s and U12’s):
An age group player development philosophy that places the emphasis on individual technical and tactical development. We want to provide our players with the best technical and tactical foundation so that they are able to reach their full potential in the future. U11 and U12 Select Teams are not formed like in Academy. Players will be offered a bid to participate in the Select program based on a number of factors for each age group including: 1) performance during tryouts, 2) the number of players trying out, 3) the overall skill and ability of the players trying out from a holistic standpoint. Player selection will also be established based on these factors and the composition will be at the discretion of the Coaching Staff and Technical Director. Special Note – For league games and tournaments, teams may be selected and play as A and B teams or as balanced teams, depending upon the overall objective of the specific event and the best avenue to develop and motivate players within the age group. Players will have opportunities to play at several levels of competition within the age group. This will be done at the discretion of the coaching staff and technical director.
Select Team Formation – (U13’s – U18’s):
Age group philosophy; emphasis starts to transition from individual to team development and getting players prepared for competitive events, including showcases. Ideally, participants will be organized into teams of 16 players each, based on ability (A, B and C). The number of teams formed is based on the number of players that come to tryouts. Only the Premier team will compete at State Cup. There may be some scheduled training sessions for all the age group depending upon the developmental needs of the players. Where there are not enough players to form a competitive level team these players may be invited to join the premier group as pool players. Pool players train with the premier group, play in league games, and attend tournament if invited. Special Note – All coaches within the age group will work together along with the Technical Director to promote players as needed. P.O.
Box
854 •
Waukee,
Iowa •
50263
